2025 Scotland Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in July)

Scotland is a place where stories flow endlessly throughout your journey. It is a country where cities bearing traces of the medieval era coexist with vast natural landscapes that seem to have leapt straight out of legends. Edinburgh felt like stepping into a history book. The Royal Mile's cobblestone streets, lined with old buildings and cathedrals, revealed the depth of the city, while street performers in traditional attire added to the medieval atmosphere. From Edinburgh Castle perched atop a hill, the breathtaking view of the city and the sea unfolded before me. Climbing Arthur's Seat offered a completely different perspective of Edinburgh. Despite the strong winds, the panoramic view of the city nestled within nature was stunning. New Town and Princes Street Gardens exuded a charming blend of elegance and gentle leisure. Leaving the city behind and heading to the Highlands, an entirely new world awaited. The scenery of clouds embracing and revealing mountains and lakes, the desolate yet mystical Glencoe Valley, and the legendary Loch Ness were all experiences beyond words. On the final evening, I enjoyed a glass of Scotch whisky while listening to live music at a traditional pub. In that moment, it felt as though Scotland's history, people, and nature were all intertwined. Scotland is not a flashy destination, but one that deeply resonates with you. Even after leaving, the winds and landscapes of this country linger in your thoughts.

Scotland is a place where the cities exude an old-world charm and the natural landscapes overwhelm with their beauty. Everywhere you go, stories seem to be hidden, and just a short walk reveals scenery straight out of a movie. In Edinburgh, the Royal Mile alleys left the strongest impression. The old cathedrals and stone buildings lined the streets, while street performers in traditional attire played music, creating an atmosphere that felt like stepping back into the medieval era. The view of the city and the sea from Edinburgh Castle atop the hill was truly picturesque. Climbing Arthur's Seat, the gusty winds and the panoramic view of the city remain vivid in my memory. It was a moment where history and nature converged in a single glance. At Princes Street Gardens, I took a brief rest and soaked in the leisurely daily life of Scotland. Leaving the city behind and heading to the Highlands revealed an entirely different world. Mountains shrouded in clouds, vast meadows and valleys, and mysterious lakes unfolded before me. Glen Coe, in particular, showcased the rugged beauty of Scotland's nature. Standing before Loch Ness, I could understand why legends were born—it was truly mystical. At the end of the journey, I wrapped up the day with a glass of Scotch whisky in a small traditional pub, listening to locals share old tales. Scotland is not just about its landscapes; the history and people embedded within them leave a profound impression.

Scotland can be summed up as a "continuous display of dramatic landscapes." The journey that began in Edinburgh offered a blend of the city's old-world charm and the awe-inspiring vastness of nature just a short distance away. Edinburgh was a unique city where medieval and modern elements intertwined. Walking along the Royal Mile, one could see gray stone buildings and ancient cathedrals, accompanied by the melodies of street musicians, enhancing the atmosphere. The view of the city from Edinburgh Castle atop the hill was truly picturesque. Historical sites like Stirling Castle and the Palace of Holyroodhouse told deep stories of Scotland's past. Climbing Arthur's Seat and feeling the wind while gazing at the city and sea together was one of the most unforgettable moments of the trip. The Highlands felt like an entirely different world. Expansive meadows, deep valleys, and mountains and lakes that appeared and disappeared behind the clouds. The rugged nature unique to Scotland, often seen only in movies, unfolded right before my eyes. Glencoe and Loch Ness were both mysterious and majestic. A glass of Scotch whisky at a traditional pub, fresh seafood enjoyed in a coastal village, and the legendary tales shared by locals... Scotland was not just about its landscapes but also the warmth of its people and culture. Scotland is a place where cities and nature, history and the present, all come alive. It's a destination that becomes even more cherished after leaving than before arriving.